There is so much more to Jordan than Petra. Don’t get me wrong. Petra was awesome and I won’t miss it for the world. What I am saying is that Jordan is like an open air museum, rich in history, culture and archaeological ruins dating back thousands of years. And they are worth seeing. In fact, any tour of Jordan will most certainly cover all the landmarks and these archeological ruins so you won’t miss them.
When I told friends and family that I was visiting Jordan, their reaction was understandable. Jordan is located bang in the middle of the Middle East – Israel, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Syria. Despite it’s location, Jordan is safe for tourists. As a woman travelling alone, I felt safe in the country. I even explored the downtown of Amman, the capital of Jordan, on my own without any problem.
My tip always is to carry out research of your intended destination before you travel. Find out about the culture, what you can do or cannot do and follow local customs. For example, showing affection in public in Jordan is not acceptable. Being a muslim country, women wearing practically nothing will be frowned upon. It is about respecting local customs and traditions while visiting. English is spoken by majority of people, mostly in the capital city, Amman, and in tourists areas. I found Jordanians to be hospitable and friendly people.
Tip – I should mention here that there were flies everywhere which I was surprised about. Nothing in the guide books about flies! The flies were a nuisance but you get used to them after a while.
Until my visit, I did not fully appreciate that coffee was more than just a drink. It is an integral part of Jordanian culture. Even the grinding of the coffee, the ritual of drinking it with family, friends and business associates has a meaning!
I had a great time in Jordan and I will encourage you to visit this wonderful country if are able to do so.
“Life is not about the amount of breaths you take but about the moments that take your breaths away.”